Abstract: Data indicating a relationship of life of a battery to a value of load power applied to the battery in discharge and environmental temperature of a place where the battery is installed are prepared beforehand. Next, the load power and the environmental temperature when the battery is discharged are measured, and then a life value corresponding to these measured values is selected from the data so as to be set as an expected life value. Next, a first life reduction amount is calculated from a natural logarithmic function with the number-of-discharges as a variable, and the difference between the expected life value and the first life reduction amount is set to a remaining life value, on the basis of which the life of the nickel-hydride battery is determined. By this method, the life of the nickel-hydride battery as a backup power source can be accurately determined, while correction based on phenomena unique to the nickel-hydride battery is performed.

Abstract: An ECU performs a program. In the program, in the case where a converter is performing an operation for increasing a voltage (i.e., YES in step S 102), when a difference between an estimated battery voltage VBE and a battery voltage VB has continued to be large (i.e., YES in step S 104), the ECU tentatively determines that a battery voltage sensor is abnormal (S 106), and stops voltage increasing control for the converter (S 108). If an absolute value of a difference between a battery voltage and an output side voltage is large (i.e., YES in step S 110), a difference A which is an absolute value between an estimated battery voltage and a battery voltage, and a difference B which is an absolute value between the estimated battery voltage and an output side voltage are calculated (S 112). If a value obtained by subtracting the difference B from the difference A has continued to be large (i.e., YES in step S 114), it is determined that the battery voltage sensor is abnormal (S 116).

Abstract: This invention provides an electronic device that has a battery with a power storage unit and a display module, a power detector and a display control module. The power storage unit is for storing electrical power and the display module is placed on the surface of the battery. The power detector is selectively coupled to the battery, and generates a remaining power signal after detecting the remaining power in the battery. The remaining power signal is used to control the display control module. When the power detector is selectively coupled to the battery, the display module shows the current remaining power in response to the action of the display control module. When the power detector is separated from the battery, the display module is essentially capable of maintaining the showing of remaining power.

Abstract: A system, a method, and an article of manufacture for determining an estimated combined battery state-parameter vector are provided. The method determines the estimated combined battery state-parameter vector based on a plurality of predicted combined battery state-parameter vectors, a plurality of predicted battery output vectors, and a battery output vector.

Abstract: A method of changing a secondary battery, a method of calculating a remaining capacity rate of the secondary battery, and a battery pack are provided. The method of charging a secondary battery includes the steps of: performing a detection of a charging rate of the secondary battery using an integrating method in which a battery capacity is calculated by integrating a current value or a power value of the secondary battery for a certain period of time, and a detection of the charging rate of the secondary battery using a voltage method in which a voltage value of the secondary battery is measured and the charging rate is calculated based on a correlation between the voltage value and the charging rate; and performing a weighted addition of the charging rate detected by the integrating method and the charging rate detected by the voltage method in accordance with the charging rate of the secondary battery, whereby detecting a final charging rate.

Abstract: A battery control module for a battery system comprises a voltage measuring module that measures battery and a current measuring module that measures battery current. A state of charge (SOC) module communicates with the current and voltage measuring modules and estimates SOC at least one of when an accumulated charge swing during charge is greater than or equal to an accumulated discharge swing during a prior discharge and a negative of a charge current is within a predetermined window of a negative of a retained discharge current during the prior discharge and/or when an accumulated discharge swing during discharge is greater than or equal to an accumulated charge swing during a prior charge and a negative of a discharge current is within a predetermined window of a negative of a retained charge current during the prior charge.

Abstract: A cell evaluation device has a short circuit detection portion to detect an internal short circuit within a test cell that has been subjected to nail penetration or crushing using the pressure from a pressurization portion, a pressure control portion to halt the operation of the pressurization portion on detection of a short circuit, and a cell information detection portion to collect and record cell information such as the cell temperature. By using such a cell evaluation device, the location of an internal short circuit during an abuse test is specified, and variations in the cell temperature increase accompanying the internal short circuit is minimized.

Abstract: A method for determining characteristic variables for electrical states of an energy storage battery includes subdividing an electrolyte volume of the battery into at least two electrolyte volume components with associated electrolyte balancing areasabd defining at least two electrode plate balancing areas by subdividing the total resistance of electrode plates in the battery into resistance components for the defined electrode plate balancing areas and by subdividing the total energy storage capacity of the electrode plates into energy storage capacity components for the defined electrode plate balancing areas. The method further includes determining the electrolyte concentration of the electrolyte volume components for the defined electrolyte balancing areas and determining the amounts of charge which are held in the electrode plates in each of the electrode plate balancing areas. At least one characteristic variable for associated electrical states of the battery is determined using a mathematical model.

Abstract: A method for determining a state of charge (SOC) characteristic variable for a storage battery including determining a first SOC value and a second SOC value. The method further including determining changes in the first and second SOC values. These changes in the first and second SOC values are measured between a first operating time and a second operating time. The method also including determining a characteristic variable relating to the state of charge as a function of the change in the first and second SOC values.

Abstract: To provide a battery characteristic evaluation device and a battery characteristic evaluation method capable of precisely measuring a potential difference between a positive and negative electrode materials, without largely breaking the original battery shape of a sealed battery such as a sealed alkaline-manganese battery. A cylindrical alkaline-manganese battery sample 30 is prepared, wherein a bore hole of 1 mm diameter and 0.5 mm depth is provided in approximately the center of the side face of a can body, lead wires are provided in the positive and negative electrodes, a sealing material made of a resin is applied on the negative electrode so as not to come into contact with an electrolytic solution. The battery sample is dipped into a measuring cell 10 in which an electrolytic solution 11 is filled.

Abstract: The present invention broadly comprises a method and apparatus for testing electrochemical cells which is faster and more cost-effective than current testing methods. Accordingly, the invention provides a method for testing electrochemical cells, particularly batteries for medical applications, such as for implantable devices for pacemakers, defibrillators, etc., comprising the steps of: surrounding at least one electrochemical cell with a vacuum with a pressure range of 0 to 0.001 Torr and measuring energy emitted from the electrochemical cell.

Abstract: In accordance with various embodiments, there is a method for determining the specific gravity of a battery. Various embodiments include the steps of applying an increasing current ramp to a battery and measuring a response voltage of the battery when the increasing current ramp is applied to the battery. When the current ramp reaches a predetermined current a decreasing current is supplied to the battery and the battery's voltage response is measured. The specific gravity of the battery can be determined based on the voltage response of the battery to the applied current ramp.

Abstract: When impedance calculating conditions are satisfied after a system is started, the impedance of a battery is calculated using the current of the battery, a time variation in open circuit voltage thereof, a time variation in terminal voltage thereof, a time variation in current thereof, and a time variation in impedance thereof. The ratio of the calculated impedance to the initial impedance is calculated. The impedance ratio is subjected to weighting and averaging, thus obtaining a weighted average. When the system is terminated, an impedance-correction-coefficient learned value is updated using the weighted average. Thus, a change in impedance of the battery can be accurately grasped. Advantageously, parameters indicating the state of the battery, e.g., the remaining capacity thereof, reflect the change in impedance, resulting in accurate battery management.

Abstract: The present invention provides an overcharge/overdischarge detection apparatus includes a detection terminal being in an open state, a detection part for detecting application of voltage to the detection terminal, a switch part for switchably connecting and disconnecting a secondary battery with an external circuit, and a control part for controlling the switch part in a case where the detection part detects the application of voltage to the detection terminal.

Abstract: By measuring the average thickness of the oxide layer, regardless of the specification of the battery, the level of the degradation of the negative electrode can be accurately determined. With the present regenerating method, the reducing agent is prevented from being adding to the electrolyte when the level of the degradation is low, or only the electrolyte is prevented from being supplemented when the level of the degradation is high. Thus, the battery performance can be recovered effectively.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting battery removal, battery absence, and/or defective battery condition for use with battery charging and testing systems is provided. The apparatus includes a regulator, feedback module, controller, and detector module. The regulator and feedback module supply a regulated charging signal to a battery. The controller interrupts the feedback module so as to cause the regulator to suspend supplying the charging signal to the battery, which in turn, allows the charging signal to discharge for a predetermined period of time. During the predetermined period, the detector module detects whether the charging signal discharges below a predetermined threshold. When the charging signal discharges below the predetermined threshold, the detector module detects one or more conditions that indicate that the battery cannot be charged. These conditions include conditions that indicate that the battery is absent, missing, and/or defective.

Abstract: A system for measuring available energy in a metal fuel cell is provided. The system comprises first componentry for measuring an electrical property of a mixture formed from one or more reaction products dissolved in a reaction medium. The electrical property may be such as to bear a known relationship with the concentration of the one or more reaction products. Using this known relationship, second componentry estimates the concentration of the one or more reaction products, and, responsive thereto, determines the available energy in the fuel cell.

Abstract: To eliminate in structure a parasitic capacity formed between a polycrystalline silicon film resistor and a semiconductor substrate, and to provide a battery voltage detecting circuit capable of surely detecting a battery voltage. A layer such as a well which is insulated from a semiconductor substrate is disposed on the semiconductor substrate just below a polycrystalline silicon film resistor, and a potential of the layer is set to be a stable potential which is not influenced by a potential of the polycrystalline silicon film resistor or a detecting operation of a battery. With this structure, no parasitic capacity is eliminated in structure, thereby being capable of surely detecting the battery voltage.

Abstract: A convoluted, bi-metallic test strip is inserted between a battery and an electrical circuit within a flashlight having a nonzero, quiescent, current drain. Squeezing the test strip permits consumers to temporarily test the flashlight. The strip is then removed by consumers after the flashlight has been purchased.

Abstract: Voltage reversal in fuel cell stacks may be detected and/or prevented by monitoring each cell or small groups of cells in the stack for low voltage conditions. An improved cell voltage monitor is constructed using a plurality of voltage monitoring units in which each unit comprises a heating resistor, a rectifier in series therewith, and a sensing thermistor in thermal communication with the heating resistor. The heating resistor is electrically-connected across a cell or cells and heats the associated sensing thermistor in accordance with the voltage of the cell(s). Since the resistance of the sensing thermistor is indicative of its temperature and hence also of voltage of the cell(s), the sensing thermistor resistance can be used to signal a low voltage condition.

Abstract: A system and method for manufacturing and wafer-level testing properties of a wafer comprises a chuck receiving a wafer to be tested and a pump light source directing an output beam toward selected locations on a wafer received on the chuck in combination with a laser light detector detecting light emitted from the wafer and a pump beam aiming mechanism selectively varying a position at which the pump light source output beam enters the wafer.

Abstract: A structural system for accurately reproducible in situ x-ray studies of operating rechargeable electrochemical battery cell electrode components comprises an hermetically sealed cell component enclosure incorporating an x-ray transmissive window member of beryllium or the like. A research embodiment of the system comprises means for rapidly and consistently interchanging electrode compositions for operative comparison and evaluation, while a laminated cell system embodiment enables accurate testing of electrode components in commercial configurations such as unitary polymeric Li-ion battery cells.

Abstract: This invention provides approaches to improve the signal to noise ratio (S/N) in electrochemical measurements (e.g. amperometry, voltammetry, etc.). In particular, a method is described wherein the faradaic current is temporally dissociated from the charging current associated with reading the charge of a redox-active species (e.g. a self-assembled monolayer (SAM)). This method, designated herein as open circuit potential amperometry (OCPA), quantitatively reads the charge of the redox species bound to (electrically coupled to) an electrode surface, while discriminating against both charging current(s) and amperometric signal(s) that arise, e.g. from diffusion-based species in solution.

Abstract: A device and a method for displaying an exact charge capacity of a smart battery includes a portable electric device including a control unit for power management. The portable electric device includes a battery for providing a relative state of charge (RSOC), a control unit for controlling the device to display battery residual capacity information by receiving the RSOC from the battery, and a display unit for displaying the battery residual capacity information. Here, the control unit detects an output voltage of the battery, compares the detected voltage with the RSOC, and controls the device to display the battery residual capacity information in response to data corresponding to the detected voltage, when the battery is in a period of a first low battery and the detected voltage is different from the RSOC, or controls the device to display the battery residual capacity information in response to the RSOC when the battery is in a period of a second low battery lower than the first low battery.

Abstract: By finding a voltage difference &Dgr;V between the maximum value and the minimum value of voltage of each cell constituting a battery set and then combining the voltage difference &Dgr;V with current I passing through the battery set into a value pair and store a plurality of the value pairs, the relationship between the voltage difference &Dgr;V and the current I is a relation represented by a straight line with the slope &Dgr;R thereof corresponding to an internal-resistance difference. Therefore, fault in the battery set can be determined from the magnitude of the slope &Dgr;R computed by a least-squares method. Fault determination for a battery set is made more accurate because variations in electromotive force caused by charge-and-discharge patterns and by changes in temperature are canceled when the voltage difference &Dgr;V is determined.

Abstract: An electrochemical field probe for measuring solute concentrations of elements dissolved in a liquid, such as a molten metal bath, generally including a base having a first end, a second end, an external surface, and extending about a longitudinal axis, a reference electrode positioned between the first and second ends of the base, and a glassy electrolyte positioned adjacent the reference electrode, wherein the reference electrode is a Mo substrate coated with a electrode reference material selected from a group including NiAl, graphite, Cr, a compound of Mo and Mo3Si, a compound of Cr and Cr2O3, a compound of Ti and TiN, a compound of Ti and TiS, and a compound of Th and ThP and the glassy electrolyte is selected from a group including a compound of 38% CaO, 42% SiO2, and 20% Al2O3, soda glass, pyrex powder, and a pre-fused mixture of cryolite (Na3AlF6) admixed with approximately 5% to 10% CaF2 (fluorspar) and approximately 4% to 7% Al2O3.

Abstract: Rapid determination of the condition or charge parameters of a battery, such as the present charge of the battery and the maximum charge capacity of the battery. A plurality of discharge pulses (210) and a plurality of rest periods (220) are applied to the battery. The battery voltage is then measured to provide voltages (225) during the rest periods, and/or voltages (230) during the discharge pulses. The voltage difference among selected one of the voltages are used to provide a difference voltage DELTA-L. The difference voltage DELTA-L is then used to determine a charge parameter of the battery, such as the maximum charge capacity or condition of the battery and the present charge in the battery. This information is then displayed to a user so that the user will know the present capacity and the present charge of the battery and can make an informed decision as to whether the battery is adequate for the project that the user has in mind, or to a subsequent process, such as a charging process.

Abstract: Rapid determination of the condition or charge parameters of a battery, such as the present charge of the battery and the maximum charge capacity of the battery. A plurality of discharge pulses (210) and a plurality of rest periods (220) are applied to the battery. The battery voltage is then measured to provide voltages (225) during the rest periods, and/or voltages (230) during the discharge pulses. The voltage difference among selected one of the voltages are used to provide a difference voltage DELTA-L. The difference voltage DELTA-L is then used to determine a charge parameter of the battery, such as the maximum charge capacity or condition of the battery and the present charge in the battery. This information is then displayed to a user so that the user will know the present capacity and the present charge of the battery and can make an informed decision as to whether the battery is adequate for the project that the user has in mind, or to a subsequent process, such as a charging process.

Abstract: A method for determining the starting ability of the starter battery in a motor vehicle. The current and voltage of the storage battery are measured before starting is begun, shortly after starting is begun and at short intervals of time during the starting procedure. The current/voltage value pairs for each instant are used to calculate a resistance value and the quantity of charge drawn from the storage battery, and the rate of rise in the resistance values as a function of the quantity of charge drawn is used to derive a measure of the availability of the storage battery during the starting procedure. In particular, the gradient &Dgr;RQ of the internal resistance as a function of the quantity of charge drawn and the turn-on internal resistance RE are stored in an arithmetical memory as a field as a function of the charge state or of the equivalent no-load voltage (UR) and the battery temperature and are compared with already recorded values or typical normal values.

Abstract: Rapid determination of the condition or charge parameters of a battery, such as the present charge of the battery and the maximum charge capacity of the battery. A plurality of discharge pulses (210) and a plurality of rest periods (220) are applied to the battery. The battery voltage is then measured to provide voltages (225) during the rest periods, and/or voltages (230) during the discharge pulses. The voltage difference among selected one of the voltages are used to provide a difference voltage DELTA-L. The difference voltage DELTA-L is then used to determine a charge parameter of the battery, such as the maximum charge capacity or condition of the battery and the present charge in the battery. This information is then displayed to a user so that the user will know the present capacity and the present charge of the battery and can make an informed decision as to whether the battery is adequate for the project that the user has in mind, or to a subsequent process, such as a charging process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for diagnosing the status of a battery having high and low voltage plateau states corresponding to its state of charge in which the battery open circuit voltage is measured (S106) to determine its voltage state and its internal resistance also is measured (S114). A battery having a low voltage state (S116) is tested to determine if its internal resistance is greater than a predetermined maximum resistance (S118) and if it does the battery is considered as possibly having a low electrolyte level, and if it does not the battery is subjected to a current ramp test to determine from the voltage response a point of current transition (S130) due to a battery chemical gassing reaction. The battery state of charge (S132) is determined from curves or algorithms of state of charge versus current transition.

Abstract: A portable optical code reader, in particular for bar codes, having at least one supply battery; an electronic circuit with a microprocessor; and optoelectronic lighting and receiving devices cooperating with the microprocessor to read an optical code, in particular a bar code. The microprocessor also estimates the charge of the battery on the basis of the maximum charge storable in the battery, of measured recharge units supplied when recharging the battery, and of charge units estimated to have been consumed during operation of the reader.

Abstract: A battery cell inspection method in which the difference in the measured value in case of normal battery cell insertion and that incase of mistaken battery cell insertion is large to facilitate decision as to whether or not mistaken insertion occurred to enable stable result of decision to be achieved, and in which, if the area of the electrode plate and/or the number of the electrode plates making up a sole battery cell is small, decision as to mistaken insertion can be given easily to assure correct results of decision.

Abstract: A system of automatically indicating a user that it is time to replace a rechargeable battery of an electric apparatus includes a battery state detector for detecting whether the battery is in a low battery state, a battery output detector for detecting electrical capacity of the battery which is consumed in the electric apparatus, and a power controller for defining an electrical capacity of the battery to be considered as the life of the battery is over, as a reference electrical capacity for replacement, calculating a total consumed electrical capacity value of the battery by accumulating an electrical capacity value detected by the battery output detector when the battery is in the low battery state, and generating a battery replacement signal when the total consumed electrical capacity value is equal to or less than the reference electrical capacity for replacement.

Abstract: A line card circuit to prevent false off-hook signals resulting from the permanent loss of battery voltage at a line card. In the battery present condition, the 5V operating voltage is connected to the collector lead of an NPN transistor, which also supplies the output signal of the system. The emitter lead of the transistor is connected to ground. The -48V battery voltage is connected to the transistor base lead and biases the base negative with respect to the emitter, maintaining the 5V logic "1" output signal on the collector lead. There is a resistor and capacitor in series, forming an RC circuit, across the 5V collector lead and the -48V base lead. In the battery present condition, there is a significant charge across the capacitor. In the battery absent condition, the -48V battery voltage is lost and the voltage on the base lead rises to a positive voltage in a time interval governed by the discharge time of the RC circuit, thus causing the system output signal to drop to logic "0".

Abstract: A system and method for comprehensive analysis of a multi-cell battery, such as of the nickel-cadmium type, on an individual cell level basis and overall battery basis. For an unsealed battery, which affords access to the individual battery cells, (FIG. 2) tests are carried out to determine the presence of any shorted or reversed cells, and these can be repaired or replaced ((6)-(11)). The individual cells are then tested for sufficient electrolyte on the basis of comparing the cell internal resistance to a maximum internal resistance for the cell and electrolyte added as needed ((12)-(15)). A sealed battery, to which there is no access to the individual cells, is first tested for shorted or reversed cells on a battery level basis ((16)-(19)).

Abstract: A state of charge indicator of a lithium ion battery computes a state of charge (SOC) corresponding to a cell open circuit voltage from a SOC-cell open circuit voltage characteristic map, and displays the SOC on a display device. Herein, the SOC-cell open circuit voltage characteristics are obtained by defining the battery charge amount when the open circuit voltage of the cell is 3.9 V as SOC=100%, and defining the battery charge amount when the open circuit voltage of the cell is 3.5 V as SOC=100%. By defining SOC=100% and SOC=0% in this way, the SOC can be correctly computed and displayed even if the battery has deteriorated.

Abstract: A method of measuring battery capacity using a voltage response signal based on a pulse current, where the method includes the steps of: measuring a voltage response signal based on a pulse current signal applied to a primary or secondary battery; performing an approximation of the measured voltage response signal to an equivalent circuit model composed of resistors, capacitors and transmission lines to determine the model parameters; and determining the unknown battery capacity from the voltage response characteristics based on a correlation between the measured capacity and the model parameters, which correlation is previously determined by a real-time discharge method, thereby takes a shorter time than a real-time discharge method and delivering efficiency and reliability in determining model parameters of an equivalent circuit which are in close correlation with the charge/discharge condition of the battery.

Abstract: In an electric battery, an electronic clock is integrated in the battery container in order to monitor battery functions. The frequency of the electronic clock is varied as a function of at least one characteristic value of the battery. In one embodiment, the frequency of the electronic clock increases with increasing electrolyte temperature and increasing deviation of the terminal voltage from the open-circuit voltage of the battery. Specifically, the electronic clock may be connected to a measurement probe immersed in the electrolyte through which voltage is supplied to the electronic clock and the battery temperature and the electrolyte level are measured. The electronic clock signals its stopping as soon as a pre-assigned nominal running time is reached.

Abstract: A method and device for executing battery auto-learning applied to a portable data processor with a rechargeable battery and a current gauge is disclosed. The device includes a charging device, a first switch and a second switch controlled by the portable data processor. The notebook computer can control the first switch, the second switch and the charging device automatically so that the battery learning process can be executed automatically instead of being operated manually. It can save a lot of manufacturing cost and time. Moreover, if the user wants to eliminate the memory effect of the rechargeable battery, he can set the executing times for executing the battery auto-learning to achieve the purpose.

Abstract: A battery tester is formed at an AC constant-current generator for applying an AC current for measurement to a battery BT under test via a coupling capacitor, an internal resistance detecting device for detecting the internal resistance of the battery BT according to a voltage signal therefrom when the AC current is applied, a voltage detecting device for detecting the terminal voltage across the battery, and a deterioration judging unit for judging the deterioration of the battery from the internal resistance and terminal voltage detected by the internal resistance detecting device and the voltage detecting device. The internal resistance and terminal voltage of the battery are measured simultaneously, and deterioration of the battery is judged from the measurement data.

Abstract: Detected values of a voltage and a current of a battery which are supplied from a voltage and current detector are stored in a memory at a plurality of times while the battery is being discharged. A regression line calculator determines an internal resistance and an open-circuit voltage (non-load voltage or electromotive force) of the battery based on the detected values stored in the memory. Even when the battery is in use with the voltage and the current frequency varying while it is being discharged, a memory effect on the battery can be determined from a reduction in the open-circuit voltage and a deterioration of the battery can be determined from an increase in the internal resistance.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for transparently executing in a graphical operating system environment a battery gauge utility that provides accurate battery status information adaptable to different users' needs. In a preferred embodiment, a software battery gauge of the present invention utilizes the primary display of a PC on which it is executing to present information on the exact current charge status of each of one or more batteries of the PC without relying on the presence of a Microsoft/Intel Advanced Power Management driver and compatible BIOS and without continually impinging on the APM or XBIOS interfaces to derive such status information. The battery gauge interfaces with a user through a user interface comprising an animated graphical status indicator and a textual status indicator, which display battery status information continuously such that changes therein can be immediately and conveniently perceived by a user.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring structural changes of an electrode in a rechargeable battery include an in situ x-ray study electrochemical cell holder (30) comprising top and bottom cell holder members (32, 34) including at least one beryllium window element (36) for transmission of diffractometer x-radiation. A rechargeable battery cell (43) mounted within the x-ray cell holder enclosure comprises an electrolyte/separator element (68) interposed between positive and negative electrodes (64, 66). A current collector element (70) formed of an electrically-conductive open-mesh grid is disposed between the positive electrode and the separator to enable ion-conducting contact of the electrode and separator while maintaining electrical continuity between the electrode and an external x-ray cell holder terminal (54).

Abstract: The device uses a sensor probe in which a plurality of electrolyte level sensor coils and/or specific gravity stratification indicators are stacked vertically in the walls of a hollow electrically insulating and chemically nonreactive elongated probe housing such that the sensor coils never come into contact with the electrolyte. Balanced transformers or series resonant coils are used to sense changes in electrolyte level and/or changes in specific gravity at various respective levels to indicate stratification of electrolyte. The fields of the sensors are changed by the amount of electrolyte in the area of the sensor coils. These changes operate to produce signals that are read as digital or analog outputs.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for unobtrusively measuring physical properties in electrochemical processes occurring in a predefined volume, such as the state of charge in an electrochemical battery. The invention provides for a coil (22) or (42) positioned relative to the predefined volume to minimize the reluctance path between the coil and the electrochemical process, with the winding axis of the coil generally transverse to a surface bounding the predefined volume. In this position, an alternating current is applied to the coil to generate an oscillatory magnetic field. Preferably, the coil includes a core (24) or a backing plate (46) for concentrating the magnetic field in a direction towards the process in the predefined volume. The physical properties are determined based upon a measurement of the electrical complex impedance of the coil, and data correlating the physical properties of the process with the electrical complex impedance of the coil.

Abstract: A method of monitoring ion mobility in an electro-conductive fluid, such as an electrolyte in a lead-acid battery to determine the state of charge of the battery, includes the steps of immersing a pair of test electrodes in the electro-conductive fluid, and generating a test signal having a pulsed waveform. The pulsed waveform of the test signal has a voltage which remains constant over a predetermined portion of the signal's period, that portion being selected to ensure that ion mobility in the electro-conductive fluid has reached a steady state velocity. The method further includes the steps of applying the test signal to the pair of test electrodes to cause a current to flow through the test electrodes and the electro-conductive fluid, and sensing the current flow through the test electrodes and fluid. The sensed current is indicative of ion mobility in the electro-conductive fluid.

Abstract: A reference amount of consumed energy of a storage battery on an electric-powered vehicle is calculated by adding values of a discharging current of the storage battery which are detected at predetermined time intervals since the storage battery was fully charged. The reference amount of consumed energy is corrected, i.e., multiplied, by consumed-energy corrective coefficients based on the battery temperature, the discharging current, the battery voltage, and the specific gravity of the storage battery, thereby determining an amount of consumed electric energy. A reference amount of remanent stored energy of the storage battery is determined by deducting the determined amount of consumed electric energy from an initial amount of stored energy of the storage battery. The reference amount of remanent stored energy is then corrected, i.e.

Abstract: Systems of battery cells and batteries are monitored via sensing probes arranged in assemblies providing digital output signals which indicate sensed physical parameters. Digital data strings are provided to the probes and modified to reflect present values of the sensed physical parameters. The resulting digital data strings are processed and compared to stored historical data to monitor and forecast performance of a system of connected batteries.

Abstract: A vehicle storage battery is monitored to determine battery capacity, state of charge and certain fault conditions. The ambient temperature, battery voltage alternator/regulator output voltage and current to and from the battery are continuously measured. Current voltage (I-V) data is analyzed to determine the internal resistance and polarization of the battery. A determination is made regarding state of charge and fault conditions produced by corroded terminals and low electrolyte level. The low temperature starting limit is determined by comparing the battery's power output capability with starting power requirements of the vehicle. Data produced by the comparison are indicated on the dashboard of the vehicle.